Royal Flushes - 9s

Louis Vuitton Australian Croquet Championships 1994 SA pin

Of all of the things I have in my collection of Curios, this one comes from the furthest areas of left field. I would hazard a guess that I acquired it through either my father or brother (fellow collectors of oddities), but I couldn't say for sure.

I don't think I've ever met anyone who has played croquet professionally, or recreationally at least in any capacity to take part in any championships.

Pee-wee Herman Topps Trading Cards

In celebration of Pee-wee Herman's long-overdue, and warmly welcomed, comeback, I will be posting all 33 cards from the 1988 Topps Trading Card series.

My friend, Tony, picked these up for me while he was visiting the United States. I really do love an unexpected gift, especially when it's preceded with the sentence "I saw this and I thought of you..."

Moderne Enzyklopädie der Erotik

Ringo Stalin - 3 Instrumentals

I've been sitting on these 3 tracks for what feels like ages. Generally, I'll put together the music of a song, and try to write some lyrics around it, and if need be, re-edit the music so the song is somewhat cohesive.

I sat with these tracks on repeat, on the way to work, at home, for hours, for days, just trying to think of some lyrics for them. I never could.

But I never got tired of listening to the music itself, so I'm happy to finally share them, as instrumentals.

Ringo Stalin - Bayou Exclamation
Ringo Stalin - Carapace Jazz
Ringo Stalin - Shattered Bone

By the way, I sourced the accompanying cover image from the Scandy Factory Tumblr (NSFW), who had reblogged it from where it originally appeared at Monster Movie Music.

Royal Flushes - 8s

Moderne Enzyklopädie der Erotik

What A Way To Go

Royal Flushes - 7s

What A Way To Go: Some Of The Strangest Deaths On Record

'What A Way To Go: Some Of The Strangest Deaths On Record' by Peter Bowler and Jonathon Green is one of my favourite books.

It's a collection of tales of the various 'odd' ways people over the years have shuffled, plummeted, or otherwise turned fouetté off this mortal coil.

I once found this book in the children's section in a local library, and I was pleased that the publishers, parents brigades or other watchdogs hadn't found it too 'morbid' to place on the shelves. I personally have found that Death should be embraced and enjoyed because, after all, we, each and every one, will be experiencing it one day. This book certainly takes a light-hearted look at the subject.

That is not to say that one shouldn't grieve in times of loss; it's never nice to know that you'll never be able to speak with a loved one again. And there are also times when Death is absolutely no laughing matter for those involved, but I digress...

I will add excerpts from the book over time.

Also, please note that any book that cites Kenneth Anger, or "word of mouth" as a source should probably be taken with a grain of salt...